Boat handling device



Sept. 17, 1968 N. c. SCHMIT BOAT HANDLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 23, 1967 INVENTOR. Ill/c 6. cS'cllm/r Sept. 17, 1968 N. c. SCHMIT 3,401,306

BOAT HANDLING DEVICE I Filed Feb. 25, 19s? 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. Ma 6 6'6'A/M/7 United States Patent Ofiice 3,401,806 Patented Sept. 17, 1968 3,401,806 BOAT HANDLING DEVICE Nic C. Schmit, Paynesville, Minn., assignor t Ranier L. Weis, Paynesville, Minn. Filed Feb. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 617,986 6 Claims. (Cl. 2141) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure is directed to a frame mechanism that is foldable and is used to pick-up a boat from the water in a cradle at the end thereof through the use of cables and a winch, controlling the frame. The frame mechanism rotates about two different parallel axes and folds upon itself to bring the boat to a semi-inverted position. By restricting the rotational movement at each axis at a point short of having the center of gravity of the boat and frame pass through a vertical plane extended from each axis, the boat and frame mechanism will automatically uncoil itself and return the boat to its position of resting in the water when the cable is unwound. The frame is portable and may be removed from the water.

This invention relates to the field of boating handling 2 ent categories. The first type of boat handling device is o the one which merely places a cradle around the boat and tilts the boat so that it is oriented approximately 90 degrees to its normal resting position in the water. Such a position does not allow the boat to be substantially inverted and therefore has the disadvantages associated therewith.

Another type of boat lifting device is one which causes the boat to be lifted from the water and inverted, but in such a manner that the weight of the boat makes it inconvenient to be readily uprighted to be placed back in the water.

The present invention is directed toward a boat lifting structure that makes use of the center of gravity of the boat and the handling device in replacing the boat in the water. That is, the operator does not have to manhandle the boat and merely releases the cable tension on the winch to allow the boat to swing freely back into the water.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a boat lifting device and method of operating the device employing a lifting frame pivoted about two different axes of rotation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a boat lifting device which will automatically return the boat to the water after having lifted the boat from the water.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a boat lifting device which uses the center of gravity of the boat and the lifting frame to aid in returning the boat to the water after having been lifted from the water.

It is still another ob ect of this invention to provide a lifting device in which the angles through which the boat is rotated are controlled by the lifting device.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the boat lifting device, showing in phantom, a boat in the cradle thereof;

FIG. 2 is a partial elevational view of the end of the structure found in the water before a lifting operation is started;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view as seen in FIG. 2 with the structure partially rotated;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational end view showing the boat and cradle in its at rest position; and

FIG. 5 is a partial end elevational view of the boat cradle with an extension arm projecting above the cradle.

In FIG. 1, there is found a pair of triangular shaped frame members formed by a pair of vertical members and 11 to which are connected a pair of base members 12 and 13 respectively with a pair of slanting brace members 14 and 15 connected between the upper ends of vertical members 10 and 11 and base members 12 and 13 respectively. The ends of base members 12 and 13 extend beyond the point where the slanted members join the base members. The frame mechanism may be constructed by any suitable means such as welding or through the use of machine screws or other suitable couplings. Three spacer members 20, 21, and 22 are secured respectively between the two triangular shaped frame members at the upper ends thereof at the right angled portion there of and between the extended base members 12 and 13. In other words, the assembly is in the general shape of a right triangular wedge shaped frame.

A bushing 23 is secured to slanted member 14 a short distance above base member 12 by suitable means such as welding and another bushing 24 is secured in like manner and positioned on slanted member 15. A frame bar 25 is journalled in bushings 23 and 24 and has a pair of arms 26 and 27 extended therefrom in the same general direction as base members 12 and 13. At the ends of arms 26 and 27, are a pair of bushings 30 and 31 respectively which are secured thereto by suitable means such as welding and a crossbar 32 is pivotally supported by bushings 30 and 31. It will also be noted that crossbar 32 rests upon extended base members 12 and 13.

A rotational stop member is constructed by having a pair of members 33 and 34 secured to arms 26 and 27 in upwardly extending right angle relationship with a bar 35 secured thereto. Bar 35 extends transversely to arms 26 and 27 and is substantially parallel with the cross members and bars 25 and 32.

A pair of U-shaped cradle members 36 and 37 are secured to crossbar 32 through a pair of short frame members 40 and 41 which serve as extensions of the lower portion of the U-shaped cradle members. To further strengthen the cradle members to members 40 and 41, a pair of brace members 42 and 43 are secured between members 40 and 41 and the vertical extending portions of the U-shaped members which are closest to crossbar 32. In other words, the U-shaped members extend vertically and are secured to crossbar 32 at right angles thereto and at the base of the cradle members. A pair of collars or sleeves 44 and 45 are secured by suitable means such as set screws or Wing nuts to the upright members or cradle 36 and a pair of sleeves or collars 46 and 47 are secured in like manner to the upstanding portions of cradle member 37. Secured between sleeves 44 and 45 is 0 a holding bar 50 and secured between sleeves 46 and 47 is another holding bar 51. Shown in phantom, is a boat 53 which is held in position in cradle members 36 and 37 by the holding bars 50 and 51 which bear against the upper edge of the boat to secure it to the cradle members.

At the uppermost portion of frame members 10 and 11, is found a pair of bearings 54 and 55 respectively which rotatably support a shaft '56. Secured to frame members 10 and 14, is an electrical winch which is connected to shaft 56 to provide a rotational movement of shaft 56. A pair of cables 60 and 61 are secured to shaft 56 and extend to the vertical members furtherest away from the winch of cradles 36 and 37. The points of connection are generally above that of the position of holding bars 50 and 51.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show the basic operation of the structure wherein boat 53 is secured in the cradles and the operation of winch 57 is started to wind up or shorten cables 60 and 61. As the cables are shortened, crossbar 32 pivots in bushings 30 and 31 and continues to do so until the upper extending arm portions of cradle members 36 and 37 engage stop bar 35. It will be recognized that frame elements 33 and 34 may be adjusted for any desirable position if it is found necessary so that the center of gravity of load 53 and cradle members 36 and 37 do not pass counterclockwise beyond a vertical plane extending through crossbar 32. As cables 64 and 61 continue to be wound upon shaft 56, since cradle members 36 and 37 can no longer rotate in bushings 30 and 3-1, the entire assembly begins to rotate with the rectangular frame assembly pivoted in bushings 23 and 24. As boat 53 and the U-shaped cradle members 36 and 37 are rtated along with the frame members 26, 27, 33, 34, 35, and 32, they will eventually assume the position found in FIG. 4 where the rotation of shaft 56 is stopped. In this position, the center of gravity of the boat and frame assemblies does not pass counterclockwise beyond a vertical plane extending through frame member and therefore does not need any urging to cause the boat and frame assembly to move in reverse fashion and back into the water.

In some cases it may be desirable to insure that the U boat and frame members do not pass beyond a vertical plane extending through member 25 and this may be accomplished by adding an extendible member 62 to both cradles 36 and 37 in the upstanding portion which has cables 60 and 61 connected thereto. The upper portion of arm 62 may be bent at right angles thereto to engage slanting members 14 and 15 or shaft 56 when rotated to the position shown in FIG. 4.

Thus it will be seen that there has been provided a new and novel method and apparatus for lifting a boat from the water as well as returning it to its normal resting place in the water without having to resort to pushing it or pulling of the boat and lifting structure by the operator.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter shown and described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A boat lifting device for lifting a boat from the water comprising:

(a) a wedge shaped frame mechanism having a base portion extending outwardly beyond the inclined plane of said wedge shaped frame;

(b) a cable winding mechanism secured to the uppermost portion of said wedge shaped frame including a cable extendible over said wedge shaped frame and extended base portion;

(c) a fiat frame mechanism constructed and arranged to pivot relative to a first edge closest to said cable winding mechanism and including a sto mechanism secured adjacent a second edge furtherest from aid cable winding mechanism;

(d) and a plurality of boat engaging cradle members adaptable to secure a boat thereto and pivotally secured at the lower edges thereof to said flat frame mechanism at said second edge, said cable being connected to said cradle members at a point furtherest from said cable winding mechanism so that said cradle members are pivoted about said second edge of said flat frame mechanism to engage said stop mechanism at which time said cradle and flat frame members are rotated about said first edge of said flat frame mechanism to a position above said wedge shaped frame mechanism.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 including:

(e) extensible and lockable arms secured to said cradle members at a point furtherest from said second edge of said flat frame mechanism to support said flat frame and cradle members in a predetermined position above said wedge shaped frame.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 including:

(g) clamping means secured to said cradle members for engaging a boat and preventing relative motion between such boat and said cradle members.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stop mechanism of said flat frame mechanism includes:

(h) extensible legs lockable in a selectable position against movement, said legs restricting the pivotal movement of said cradle members so that the center of gravity of said cradle members and such boat carried thereby is prevented from pivoting to a vertical plane extending through said second edge of said fiat frame mechanism when moving towards said cable winding mechanism.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

(i) said flat frame mechanism has a length extending along said wedge shaped frame mechanism and extended base portion, which when pivoted with said cradle members and such boat carried thereby prevents the center of gravity thereof from pivoting to a vertical plane extending through said first edge when moving towards said cable winding mechanism.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

(j) said cable winding mechanism includes means for reversing the direction of operation of said winding mechanism and unwinding said cable, said fiat frame mechanism and said cradle members carrying a boat pivoting until said second edge thereof engages said base portion of said wedge shaped frame mechanism, at which time said cradle members carrying a boat are pivoted about said second edge of said flat frame mechanism to place said cradle members carrying a boat in the water.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 247,172 9/1881 Crow 214 2,465,118 3/1949 Platt 2141 2,473,557 6/1949 Woodruif 9-31 X 3,143,991 8/1964 Anderson 2141 X ROBERT G. SHERIDAN, Primary Examiner. F. E. WERNER, Assistant Examiner. 

